Four Homes Searched In Drugs Raids

9 August 2013, 13:23 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police in Southampton have carried out a series of drugs raids.

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhoods team have taken the Operation Fortress van to the Thornhill area after raids at four addresses there.

At around 11.30am on Thursday 8 August, officers entered and searched homes on Lydgate Road and Napier Road and in Meredith Towers on Tunstall Road and Dumbleton Towers on Warburton Road.

The warrants were executed as part of the Operation Fortress campaign which aims to reduce the harm caused by drug-related violence by restricting the supply of drugs, reducing the demand for them and helping rebuild communities.  

Officers recovered a quantity of suspected class A drugs and a quantity of cannabis.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and was bailed pending further enquiries.

After the warrants, officers from the Bitterne Safer Neighbourhoods teams spoke to people in the local community.

Inspector Tom Orchard said:  

"We brought the van to the communities around Thornhill to support the work of our colleagues who’ve carried out four drugs warrants as part of Operation Fortress investigations into suspected drug supply.

"One of the aims of the campaign is to help rebuild communities free from the fear of drug-related violence which is why it's important for us to let people know about the police action in their neighbourhood.

"The response from the community today has been really positive. People have said they're pleased to see us out and pleased to hear we've been taking action."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Fortress team in confidence on 101  or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.